Where could I find a review and/or resolution test results for the Canon FD 100/2 lens? Can anyone comment from experience on the performance of this lens in comparison with other telephotos such as Canon FD 85/1.8 or Canon FD 135/2? Thanks. Bill W.

-- Bill Wheeler (wmwhee@datawest.net), January 26, 2000

Answers

I am really upset. I had a very nice chart of test results on most of the Canon lenses. It rated the lens at several apertures for center and corner performance on an E/G/F/P scale. And I can't find it, and I don't seem to have bookmarked the URL.

In general the faster lenses perform better at the same apertures than the slower lenses, ie the 100mm f2.0 is better than the 100mm f2.8 when both are at say f4.0. But wide open they may or may not be better, ie same two lenses the at f2.0 the faster lens may not be better than the otehr one at f2.8. But when you need that extra stop, you NEED that stop, faster is still faster.

All three of the lenses are very nice. It depends on what focal length you need more. 85mm is the typical portrait length. The 135mm is a typical medium telephoto. The 100mm is about in the middle and usable for both.

Of course you could buy all three.

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), January 27, 2000.

I found the info. The 100mm f2.0 rates higher than the 135 f2.0.

FOr the 100mm f2.0 at 2.0, 2.8, 4.0 and 5.6 it rates G/A, V/G, V/V E/V respectively. The two ratings are for center and corners and are rated Weak, Average, Good, Very Good, and Excellent.

The 135 f2.0 rates A/A, G/G, V/V, V/V at the same apertures. The 85mm f1.8 is not rated.

For reference the 100mm f2.8 rates G/G, V/V, V/V at the same apertures (of course no rating for f2.0).

-- Terry Carraway (TCarraway@compuserve.com), January 27, 2000.